NEW funding to boost support for road crash victims has been welcomed by Warwickshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).
The Department for Transport has provided road safety charity Brake with just under £170,000 to support the delivery of the National Road Victim Service (NRVS) in 2020/21.
In helping bereaved and injured victims to deal with emotional, practical and procedural issues, the NRVS provides an estimated annual saving to the police of £2.2million.
The service also helps other key statutory services such as health and social care to save money by reducing the likelihood, or severity, of supported victims developing long-term mental or physical illness.
PCC Philip Seccombe said: “During a time when we need to reduce the burden on the emergency services, particularly the NHS, this news is extremely welcome.
“Road safety continues to be a priority in Warwickshire and helping families who suffer bereavement or those injured in collisions on our roads is something I have been keen to see enhanced, so this further national support for Brake is very welcome.”
The NRVS offers road crash victims early intervention and specialist support,through a confidential helpline and information service delivered in partnership with all police forces.
All police refer into the service by delivering Brake support information to victims within 24 hours of a crash involving death.
Insp Jem Mountford from Warwickshire Police said: “Brake’s helpline provides an invaluable service to victims by complementing the service provided by our family liaison officers and by increasing and broadening the support given.
“As well as easing demand on the police and NHS and other services, the helpline provides injured victims and bereaved families with expert advice and support.”
In 2018, 35 people were killed on Warwickshire’s roads and 325 were seriously injured. Warwickshire Police and partners are working to reduce these numbers.
Call the National Road Victim Service helpline for road crash victims on 0808 8000 401 (10am-4pm, Monday-Friday).
